Pervasive technologies for workplace management

Purpose ��� Facilities managers have less visibility of how buildings are being used due to flexible working and unpredictable workers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current issues in workspace management and an automatic solution through radio frequency identification (RFID) that could provide real time information on the volume and capacity of buildings. Design/methodology/approach ��� The study described in this paper is based on a case study at a facilities management (FM) department. The department is examining a ubiquitous technology in the form of innovative RFID for security and workspace management. Interviews and observations are conducted within the facilities department for the initial phase of the implementation of RFID technology. Findings ��� Research suggests that work methods are evolving and becoming more flexible. With this in mind, facilities managers face new challenges to create a suitable environment for an unpredictable workforce. RFID is one solution that could provide facilities managers with an automatic way of examining space in real time and over a wider area than currently possible. RFID alone for space management is financially expensive but by making the application multiple for other areas makes more business sense. Practical implications ��� This paper will provide practicing FM and academics with the knowledge gained from the application of RFID in this organisation. While the concept of flexible working seems attractive, there is an emerging need to provide various forms of spaces that enable employees' satisfaction and enhance the productivity of the organisation. Originality/value ��� The paper introduces new thinking on the subject of ���workspace management���. It highlights the current difficulties in workspace management and how an RFID solution will benefit workspace methods.

Intelligent wireless web services: context-aware computing in construction-logistics supply chain

The construction industry has incurred a considerable amount of waste as a result of poor logistics supply chain network management. Therefore, managing logistics in the construction industry is critical. An effective logistic system ensures delivery of the right products and services to the right players at the right time while minimising costs and rewarding all sectors based on value added to the supply chain. This paper reports on an on-going research study on the concept of context-aware services delivery in the construction project supply chain logistics. As part of the emerging wireless technologies, an Intelligent Wireless Web (IWW) using context-aware computing capability represents the next generation ICT application to construction-logistics management. This intelligent system has the potential of serving and improving the construction logistics through access to context-specific data, information and services. Existing mobile communication deployments in the construction industry rely on static modes of information delivery and do not take into account the worker���s changing context and dynamic project conditions. The major problems in these applications are lack of context-specificity in the distribution of information, services and other project resources, and lack of cohesion with the existing desktop based ICT infrastructure. The research works focus on identifying the context dimension such as user context, environmental context and project context, selection of technologies to capture context-parameters such wireless sensors and RFID, selection of supporting technologies such as wireless communication, Semantic Web, Web Services, agents, etc. The process of integration of Context-Aware Computing and Web-Services to facilitate the creation of intelligent collaboration environment for managing construction logistics will take into account all the necessary critical parameters such as storage, transportation, distribution, assembly, etc. within off and on-site project.

A question of identity - wiring in the human

This paper discusses the RFID implants for identification via a sensor network. Brain-computer implants linked in to a wireless network. Biometric identification via body sensors is also discussed. The use of a network as a means for remote and distance monitoring of humans opens up a range of potential uses. Where implanted identification is concerned this immediately offers high security access to specific areas by means of only an RFID device. If a neural implant is employed then clearly the information exchanged with a network can take on a much richer form, allowing for identification and response to an individual's needs based on the signals apparent on their nervous system.

Pervasive technologies for workspace management

Purpose ��� Facilities managers have less visibility of how buildings are being used due to flexible working and unpredictable workers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current issues in workspace management and an automatic solution through radio frequency identification (RFID) that could provide real time information on the volume and capacity of buildings. Design/methodology/approach ��� The study described in this paper is based on a case study at a facilities management (FM) department. The department is examining a ubiquitous technology in the form of innovative RFID for security and workspace management. Interviews and observations are conducted within the facilities department for the initial phase of the implementation of RFID technology. Findings ��� Research suggests that work methods are evolving and becoming more flexible. With this in mind, facilities managers face new challenges to create a suitable environment for an unpredictable workforce. RFID is one solution that could provide facilities managers with an automatic way of examining space in real time and over a wider area than currently possible. RFID alone for space management is financially expensive but by making the application multiple for other areas makes more business sense. Practical implications ��� This paper will provide practicing FM and academics with the knowledge gained from the application of RFID in this organisation. While the concept of flexible working seems attractive, there is an emerging need to provide various forms of spaces that enable employees��� satisfaction and enhance the productivity of the organisation. Originality/value ��� The paper introduces new thinking on the subject of ���workspace management���. It highlights the current difficulties in workspace management and how an RFID solution will benefit workspace methods.

Human enhancement: could you become infected with a computer virus?

Experiments demonstrating human enhancement through the implantation of technology in healthy humans have been performed for over a decade by some academic research groups. More recently, technology enthusiasts have begun to realize the potential of implantable technology such as glass capsule RFID transponders. In this paper it is argued that implantable RFID devices have evolved to the point whereby we should consider the devices themselves as simple computers. Presented here is the infection with a computer virus of an RFID device implanted in a human. Coupled with our developing concept of what constitutes the human body and its boundaries, it is argued that this study has given rise to the world���s first human infected with a computer virus. It has taken the wider academic community some time to agree that meaningful discourse on the topic of implantable technology is of value. As developments in medical technologies point to greater possibilities for enhancement, this shift in thinking is not too soon in coming.

A multi-agent system for pervasive healthcare

Wireless technology based pervasive healthcare has been proposed in many applications such as disease management and accident prevention for cost saving and promoting citizen���s wellbeing. However, the emphasis so far is on the artefacts with limited attentions to guiding the development of an effective and efficient solution for pervasive healthcare. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a framework of multi-agent systems design for pervasive healthcare by adopting the concept of pervasive informatics and using the methods of organisational semiotics. The proposed multi-agent system for pervasive healthcare utilises sensory information to support healthcare professionals for providing appropriate care. The key contributions contain theoretical aspect and practical aspect. In theory, this paper articulates the information interactions between the pervasive healthcare environment and stakeholders by using the methods of organisational semiotics; in practice, the proposed framework improves the healthcare quality by providing appropriate medical attentions when and as needed. In this paper, both systems and functional architecture of the multi-agent system are elaborated with the use of wireless technologies such as RFID and wireless sensor networks. The future study will focus on the implementation of the proposed framework.

A new algorithm for tracking people in a pervasive mining environment

This paper analyze and study a pervasive computing system in a mining environment to track people based on RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. In first instance, we explain the RFID fundamentals and the LANDMARC (location identification based on dynamic active RFID calibration) algorithm, then we present the proposed algorithm combining LANDMARC and trilateration technique to collect the coordinates of the people inside the mine, next we generalize a pervasive computing system that can be implemented in mining, and finally we show the results and conclusions.

Attacking human implants: a new generation of cybercrime

Human ICT implants, such as RFID implants, cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers, Deep Brain Stimulation, bionic limbs connected to the nervous system, and networked cognitive prostheses, are becoming increasingly complex. With ever-growing data processing functionalities in these implants, privacy and security become vital concerns. Electronic attacks on human ICT implants can cause significant harm, both to implant subjects and to their environment. This paper explores the vulnerabilities which human implants pose to crime victimisation in light of recent technological developments, and analyses how the law can deal with emerging challenges of what may well become the next generation of cybercrime: attacks targeted at technology implanted in the human body. After a state-of-the-art description of relevant types of human implants and a discussion how these implants challenge existing perceptions of the human body, we describe how various modes of attacks, such as sniffing, hacking, data interference, and denial of service, can be committed against implants. Subsequently, we analyse how these attacks can be assessed under current substantive and procedural criminal law, drawing on examples from UK and Dutch law. The possibilities and limitations of cybercrime provisions (eg, unlawful access, system interference) and bodily integrity provisions (eg, battery, assault, causing bodily harm) to deal with human-implant attacks are analysed. Based on this assessment, the paper concludes that attacks on human implants are not only a new generation in the evolution of cybercrime, but also raise fundamental questions on how criminal law conceives of attacks. Traditional distinctions between physical and non-physical modes of attack, between human bodies and things, between exterior and interior of the body need to be re-interpreted in light of developments in human implants. As the human body and technology become increasingly intertwined, cybercrime legislation and body-integrity crime legislation will also become intertwined, posing a new puzzle that legislators and practitioners will sooner or later have to solve.

The invisible hand guiding technology: crossing the boundary of technology

This paper examines attitudes towards Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and explores the wider concerns of the ever increasing prospect of social tagging. Capturing vignettes and narratives from a sample of study participants, the paper highlights concerns about adopting RFID implements now and in the future. The views captured through qualitative methodology act as the platform for a wider argument concerning the human rights and privacy intrusion concerns over IT applications. Intended as an insight into the reality of technology impact, this paper lists a series of questions for leaders to consider over matters of human rights specifically concerning RFID adoption. The authors conclude that caution, naivety and fear are the underlying reasons for society accepting RFIDs without question and that RFIDs will be a part of everyday working and domestic life in the near future.

F��r��ndringsf��rslag f��rABB:s godshantering : ��� Utv��rdering av existerandeautomatiska dataf��ngstmetoder

Examensarbetet utf��rdes p�� uppdrag av ABB i Ludvika. ABB vill ��ka effektiviseringen f��rhanteringen av inkommande gods. Detta f��r att det mesta sker manuellt i dagens l��ge och det tarmycket tid och kan resultera i felk��llor.Arbetet har tv�� syften. Det f��rsta syftet ��r att f��r��ndra del av verksamheten, genom att kommamed ett f��r��ndringsf��rslag n��r det g��ller godshanteringen. Det andra syftet ��r att j��mf��rastreckkoder och RFID f��r att se vilket alternativ som passar b��st.F��r att f�� fram ett f��r��ndringsf��rslag har vi jobbat med FA/SIM-metoden.Vi har tagit fram ett antal f��r��ndringsf��rslag nedan f��ljer ett urval av dessa:��� St��lla krav p�� leverant��rerna att de skall anv��nda streckkoder med r��tt standard Code128.��� Utforma tydliga och enkla kravspecifikationer f��r att enklare kunna ta till sig.��� F��rb��ttra nuvarande kundrelationer. Genomf��r en uppf��ljning med j��mna mellanrum f��ratt se hur kundrelationerna sk��ts.

Bikesharing i Ludvika : ett initiativ fr��n Id��teknik, Anders Dahlberg

Med tre stora expansioner inom n��ringslivet, ABB, Spendrups och gruvdrift under V��sman, st��r Ludvika inf��r omfattande f��r��ndringar. De nya arbetstillf��llena v��ntas dra med sig ��kad trafik genom inpendling. F��r att avlasta befintliga flaskhalsar samt f��r att ��ka attraktionsv��rdet p�� Ludvika f��r inflyttande och turister har d��rf��r denna f��rstudie kring m��jligheterna f��r utveckling av ett l��necykelsystem, LCS, gjorts. Det visar sig att Ludvika, med omnejd, har goda f��ruts��ttningar f��r att kunna utveckla ett eget LCS och exportera detta p�� en kraftigt v��xande marknad. Detta kr��ver dock innovation och nyt��nkande d�� det redan finns starka konkurrenter som erbjuder standardiserade system. Att endast k��pa in ett LCS till Ludvika ��r knappast intressant d�� staden ��r i minsta laget f��r att det ska bli l��nsamt. D��remot kan det vara intressant att st��dja utvecklingen av ett dalaproducerat system d�� detta kan ge synergier t.ex. inom ��kad anv��ndning av RFID-teknik i regionen samt en gr��n image till Ludvika och de akt��rer som knyts till systemet.

Os impactos do uso de tecnologia da informa����o e da identifica����o e captura autom��tica de dados nos processos operacionais do varejo

Este trabalho objetivou identificar as principais tecnologias dispon��veis de TI (Tecnologia da Informa����o) e de AIDC (Identifica����o e Captura Autom��tica de Dados) para a ��rea de varejo de autosservi��o, para preencher a lacuna existente na literatura, sobre os benef��cios de se usar novas tecnologias no ponto de venda, com vistas a otimizar sua opera����o. Para tanto, foram estudados os principais processos operacionais de uma loja de varejo de autosservi��o, com vistas a identificar como as Tecnologias da Informa����o (TI) e de Identifica����o e Captura Autom��tica de Dados (AIDC), poderiam ajudar a melhorar os resultados operacionais e agregar valor ao neg��cio. Para analisar suas proposi����es (de que o uso de TI e de AIDC podem ajudar na: redu����o dos tempos dos processos de retaguarda; redu����o do n��mero de opera����es no ponto de venda; preven����o de perdas; redu����o dos custos e dos tempos para a realiza����o dos invent��rios; redu����o do n��mero de funcion��rios nas lojas; redu����o do tempo de fila no caixa; redu����o de rupturas e no aumento da efici��ncia operacional da loja), foram pesquisados diversos estudos de casos mundiais de empresas do segmento de varejo, que implementaram as tecnologias de AIDC e TI, principalmente a de RFID, para saber quais foram os impactos do uso destas tecnologias em suas opera����es e, em seguida, foi desenvolvido um Estudo de Caso abrangente, por meio do qual se objetivou entender os benef��cios empresariais reais do uso destas tecnologias para o varejo de autosservi��o. Como resultado final, foi poss��vel identificar as mudan��as nos processos operacionais do varejo de autosservi��o, bem como os benef��cios gerados em termos de custo, produtividade, qualidade, flexibilidade e inova����o. O trabalho tamb��m evidenciou os pontos cr��ticos de sucesso para a implementa����o da TI e das AIDC no varejo, que s��o: a revis��o dos processos operacionais; a correta defini����o do hardware; dos insumos; do software; das interfer��ncias do ambiente f��sico; da disponibiliza����o dos dados/informa����es dos produtos; das pessoas/funcion��rios e dos parceiros de neg��cios/fornecedores. De maneira mais espec��fica, este trabalho buscou contribuir para o enriquecimento do campo de estudos no segmento de varejo e para o uso da tecnologia da informa����o, no Brasil, j�� que o assunto sobre o uso e o impacto de novas tecnologias no ponto de vendas, ainda permanece pouco explorado academicamente.

Design, desenvolvimento e avalia����o de experi��ncias para o ponto de venda baseadas numa abordagem centrada no utilizador: o projeto Q���FNAC! 2.0

Este projeto teve como principal objetivo continuar o desenvolvimento do quiosque multim��dia FNAC. Filial do Grupo Pinault Printemps, a FNAC �� l��der europeu na distribui����o de bens tecnol��gicos e culturais. Nesta fase do desenvolvimento, o foco do projeto centrou-se na procura da melhor forma de mostrar ao utilizador a localiza����o de um produto na loja FNAC Madeira, expans��o das funcionalidades aos restantes produtos e o redesenho da interface do quiosque multim��dia FNAC. Por forma a identificar uma forma eficaz de dar a conhecer ao utilizador a localiza����o de um produto dentro da loja FNAC Madeira, foi efetuado um estudo que consistiu em question��rios e testes com utilizadores para comparar duas formas de localiza����o, por planta da loja ou por v��deo em tempo real. A primeira vers��o do quiosque multim��dia FNAC apenas possu��a suporte a livros, pelo que foi necess��rio tornar a aplica����o o mais abstrata poss��vel por forma a gerar as categorias de produtos em runtime recorrendo a ficheiros XML. Por fim, para redesenhar a interface do quiosque multim��dia FNAC, foram efetuadas an��lises ��s interfaces da primeira vers��o, utilizando as heur��sticas de Nielsen e os ���Principles of good form��� de Larry Constantine. Ap��s a fase de an��lise as interfaces foram redesenhadas tendo por base a an��lise efetuada, o guia de norma FNAC 2011 e breves testes de usabilidade com utilizadores. Do estudo realizado, na procura pela melhor forma de localiza����o, foram identificados alguns problemas relacionados com a utiliza����o de um v��deo em tempo real para a identifica����o, tal como as interfer��ncias externas por parte dos outros clientes do espa��o comercial e foi poss��vel constatar um melhor desempenho e aceita����o da localiza����o por planta. A localiza����o por planta mostrou-se suficiente para os utilizadores conseguirem identificar o local onde o produto estava exposto, pois permitia-lhes identificar o local onde encontravam-se e obter uma localiza����o mais precisa do local, necessitando apenas de olhar em volta para conseguir relacionar o que era poss��vel visualizar na planta com aquilo que os rodeava na loja.